Sonny Bill Williams return to the NRL would be drawcard for the code says Paul Gallen

Paul Gallen would welcome back Sonny Bill Williams with open arms into the NRL but before he does that he wants to get him in the ring and knock him out.

Reports surfaced in Sydney's The Daily Telegraph this weekend that Williams could return to the club he won a premiership with in 2013, the Sydney Roosters, when his rugby union deal expires in 2019.

Williams will be 33 at that stage and the Roosters are keen to have him back at the club as either a player or in a coaching/mentoring role.

The issue was hotly debated on Sports Sunday as to whether it was a publicity stunt but Gallen – who is 35 himself – said Williams' return to the NRL would be a great result for the code.

"As much as I want to get him in the ring and knock him out and prove he's not as tough as they think he is, he's a major drawcard for our sport, he's a great rugby league player and I think bring him back for sure," Gallen said.

Most Popular

Gallen said there would be a number of clubs interested in landing a quality player like Williams because he attracted fans through the gate which was good for revenue.

"He's a drawcard," Gallen said.

"I've heard rumours, I don't know if it's true that the Roosters, even if he wasn't playing that week, would still name him and not tell anyone he wasn't playing because of the amount of people that would turn up to the game to watch him play."

Gallen is hoping to fight Williams early next year but talks have stalled while Williams' manager, Khoder Nasser, tries to secure a pay-TV deal.